Photomedicine and laser surgery
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Photomed Laser Surg · Dec 2016
ReviewTranscranial, Red/Near-Infrared Light-Emitting Diode Therapy to Improve Cognition in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury.
We review the general topic of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and our research utilizing transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) to improve cognition in chronic TBI using red/near-infrared (NIR) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to deliver light to the head. tPBM improves mitochondrial function increasing oxygen consumption, production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and improving cellular energy stores. Nitric oxide is released from the cells increasing regional blood flow in the brain. Review of published studies: In our previously published study, 11 chronic TBI patients with closed-head TBI caused by different accidents (motor vehicle accident, sports-related, improvised explosive device blast injury) and exhibiting long-lasting cognitive dysfunction received 18 outpatient treatments (Monday, Wednesday, Friday for 6 weeks) starting at 10 months to 8 years post-TBI. ⋯ Actigraphy sleep data showed increased time asleep (on average one additional hour per night) after the 18th tLED or iLED treatment. LED treatments may be performed in the home. Sham-controlled studies with veterans who have cognitive dysfunction from Gulf War Illness, blast TBI, and TBI/PTSD are currently ongoing.
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Photomed Laser Surg · Dec 2016
Effect of Red-to-Near Infrared Light on the Reaction of Isolated Cytochrome c Oxidase with Cytochrome c.
Our primary hypothesis was that red-to-near infrared (R-NIR) irradiation would have an effect on the kinetics parameters of the reaction of cytochrome c with isolated cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), and that the magnitude and direction of these changes could be interpreted in the context of the reaction schemes proposed by other authors. New values for the milimolar extinction coefficients of cytochrome c were also determined. ⋯ The oxidation of cytochrome c by isolated CCO has not been shown to be affected by R-NIR irradiation, whether applied prior to or concurrently with the enzymatic assays. This lack of effect by R-NIR calls into question the CCO activity model of R-NIR photobiomodulation.
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Photomed Laser Surg · Mar 2016
Trans-Sacral Epiduroscopic Laser Decompression for Symptomatic Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Preliminary Case Series.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of trans-sacral epiduroscopic laser decompression (SELD) in patients with a herniated lumbar disc. ⋯ The VAS score and ODI significantly improved after SELD in herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) patients with LBP and radiculopathy. Postoperative MRI showed a notable decrease in the HNP size and a reduction in neural compression. SELD is suggested to be an effective therapeutic modality for patients with symptomatic HNP.
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Photomed Laser Surg · Sep 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of diode laser in the treatment of patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Low back pain is a common, highly debilitating condition, whose severity is variable. This study evaluated the efficacy of treatment with Ga-Al-As diode laser (980 nm) with a large diameter spot (32 cm(2)), in association with exercise therapy, in reducing pain. ⋯ This study demonstrated that the use of diode laser (980 nm) with large diameter spot size, in association with exercise therapy, appears to be effective. Such treatment might be considered a valid therapeutic option within rehabilitation programs for nonspecific CLBP.
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Photomed Laser Surg · Apr 2014
Low-level laser therapy with 810 nm wavelength improves skin wound healing in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
The aim of present study was to evaluate whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can reverse the impaired wound healing process in diabetic rats. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that infrared LLLT can improve wound healing in diabetic rats. Nevertheless, further research needs to be performed to evaluate the exact underlying mechanism and to further optimize LLLT parameters for clinical use.